Principal accounting policies and basis of preparation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2012
Basis of Preparation	*Basis of preparation* Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet” or the “Company”), including its subsidiaries, is a leading retailer of jewelry, watches and associated services. Signet manages its business as two geographical segments, the United States of America (the “US”) and the United Kingdom (the “UK”). The US division operates retail stores under brands including Kay Jewelers, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry and various regional brands, while the UK division’s retail stores operate under brands including H.Samuel and Ernest Jones. These condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from this report, as is permitted by such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Signet’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012.
Use of Estimates	*Use of estimates* The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements, in conformity with US GAAP and SEC regulations for interim reporting, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are primarily made in relation to the valuation of receivables, inventory and deferred revenue, fair value of derivatives, depreciation and asset impairment, the valuation of employee benefits, income taxes and contingencies.
Fiscal Year	*Fiscal year* The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31^st. Fiscal 2013 is the year ending February 2, 2013 and Fiscal 2012 is the year ended January 28, 2012. Within these financial statements, the second quarter and the year to date of the relevant fiscal years 2013 and 2012 refers to the 13 and 26 weeks ended July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively.
Seasonality	*Seasonality* Signet’s sales are seasonal, with the first and second quarters each normally accounting for slightly more than 20% of annual sales, the third quarter a little under 20% and the fourth quarter for about 40% of sales, with December being by far the most important month of the year. Sales made in November and December are known as the “Holiday Season.” Due to sales leverage, Signet’s operating income is even more seasonal; about 45% to 50% of operating income normally occurs in the fourth quarter, comprised of nearly all of the UK division’s and about 40% to 50% of the US division’s operating income.
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During Period	*New accounting pronouncements adopted during the period* Presentation of comprehensive income In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05). ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this standard require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under either method, adjustments must be displayed for items that are reclassified from OCI to net income, in either the other comprehensive income section of the comprehensive income statement or in the notes as US GAAP currently requires for annual reporting. The standard does not change the current option for presenting components of OCI gross or net of the effect of income taxes, provided that such tax effects are presented in the statement in which OCI is presented or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. Additionally, the standard does not affect the calculation or reporting of earnings per share. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and is to be applied retrospectively, with early adoption permitted. Signet adopted this guidance effective for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012 and the implementation of this accounting pronouncement did not have any impact on Signet’s financial position or results of operations. Fair value measurements and disclosures In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Fair Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).” FASB intends the new guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in US GAAP and IFRS. The amended guidance changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for Level 3 assets and liabilities for which Signet will be required to disclose quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in fair value measurements. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Signet adopted this guidance effective for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012 and the adoption of this amendment did not have did not have any impact on Signet’s financial position or results of operations.
Reclassification	*Reclassification* Signet has reclassified the presentation of certain prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.

Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.

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Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

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